AM W 




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Hollinger Corp. 
pH 8.5 



PS 3507 
•U9 V4 

1914 



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"Veronica" 

OR 

"The Holy Face" 



A Religious Drama 
Five Acts and Five Tableaux 



By 
REV. F. BERNARDINE, C. P. 

Permissu Superiorum" 



FOREWORD: 

As the whole scheme of redemption is based on the 
Passion and Death of our Saviour, it is proper that 
every Christian should become intimately acquainted 
with that stupendous sacrifice, which the Son of God of- 
fered for our salvation. The saints of all ages have 
made this the constant theme of their discourses, accord- 
ing to the example of the great apostle of the Gentiles, 
who said: "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews in- 
deed a stumbling block and unto the Gentiles a scandal; 
but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, 
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 

There can be no doubt that the stage is a most 
powerful medium to impress truths upon the mind. We 
know from history that this means has often been used 
most effectually to imbue Christian souls with the truths 
of our holy faith. Encouraged by these examples, I 
venture to present this little drama to the public though 
not without some fear and hesitation, as the theme is 
the most sacred. However, I have endeavored to treat 
the subject with the greatest respect, never allowing the 
sacred person of our Saviour or those most intimately 
associated with Him to appear on the stage except in 
tableaux. In the first part of the play, the betrayal, the 
condemnation, the sufferings and death of Christ as also 
His glorious resurrection, are represented); in the sec- 
ond, the fruits of Christ's Passion and Death. 

Hoping that this play will help to diffuse a grateful 
remembrance of Christ crucified and a greater love of 
Him who died for the love of us all, I commit it to the 
kind indulgence of the public. 



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> Pharisees and Members of the Sanhedrim 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Caiphas and Annas, High Priests. 

Sirach 

Nathan 

Grameliel 

Simcm 

Abenadar, A centurion of the Roman army. 

Nicodemus, 1 Wealthy Israelites and Friends 

Joseph of Arimathea. J of Christ. 

Pilate, Roman governor of Judea. 

Fabius, A Roman nobleman. 

Petronins, A Roman general. 

Cassianus, Jailer of Roman prison. 

Regulus, A Roman general, son of Fabius. 

The Emperor. 

Rebecca, Wife of Caiphas. 

Miriam and Ruth, Daughters of Caiphas. 

Veronica, Wife of Sirach. 

Cleopha, Her daughter. 

Domitilla, Wife of Fabius. 

Claudia, Her daughter. 

Sabina, Wife of Cassanius. 

Maxima, Her daughter. 

Soldiers. 

Courtiers. 

Virgins. 

Servants. 



SYNOPSIS OF DRAMA 

ACT I. 

Caiphas, the High Priest of Jerusalem and the 
Members of the Sanhedrim debate on the expediency of 
putting the Christ to death. Caiphas is resolved that He 
must die. They depart for the court of justice. Rebecca 
and her daughters, Ruth and Miriam, await the issue of 
the trial. Abenadar relates the scene of the betrayal. 
Caiphas and Sanhedrim return from the trial. Veronica 
pleads with her husband to have no part in the proceed- 
ings against the Nazarene, but in vain. Caiphas rejoices 
that the hour of his revenge has come. 

ACT II. 

The home of Veronica. She awaits her husband's 
return from the trial. He brings the news of Christ's 
condemnation. Veronica's defense of the Saviour. Nico- 
demus relates the sufferings of Christ. Miriam's motive 
of hatred for the Nazarene. The Saviour on His way to 
Calvary passes the home of Veronica. She goes to com- 
fort Him. Tableau of the Impression on Veronica's veil. 
At sight of the miraculous veil, Sirach and Ruth profess 
their faith in Christ. 

ACT III. 

The palace of Pilate, the Roman Governor. Mem- 
bers of the Sanhedrim petition Pilate to guard the tomb 
of the Nazarene. Abenadar relates the wonders at the 
death of Christ. Pilate's terror. He is overcome by re- 
morse. The palace of Caiphas. Abenadar reports the 
death of Christ and proclaims his faith in Him. Ruth 
professes her faith in Christ. She is banished from 
home. Miriam swears revenge against Christ and His 
followers. Caiphas becomes insane. 



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VERONICA ' 6 

ACT IV. 

Rome. The Garden of Fabius. Grief of Fabius 
and family over the serious illness of Claudia. Regulus 
recalled to the army. Death of Claudia. Veronica an- 
nounced. The appeal to the gods of Rome. Veronica re- 
stores Claudia to life by means of the miraculus veil. 
Fabius and family converted to Christ. The threat of 
Petronius. Miriam, detected as a spy, leaves the service 
of Fabius. 

ACT V. 

The Catacombs. Abenadar explains to Fabius the 
doctrines of Christianity. The consecration of Virgins. 
The burial service. Soldiers led by Miriam surprise the 
Christians and carry them oif to prison. The Mamer- 
tine prison. The conversion of Cassianus and his fam- 
ily through the restoration of his wife's sight. De- 
nounced to the emperor by Miriam, they are cast into 
the prison. Miriam mocks the captive Christians. "Ye 
shall die as the Nazarene, hated and despised — then my 
work is accomplished. 

The palace of the Emperor. The feast-day of the 
Emperor. The festival dance. Fabius and family pro- 
claim themselves Christians. Regulus' defense of his 
father. His conversion. His death. The condemnation 
of Fabius. Other Christians brought to trial. The de- 
struction of Jupiter. Rage of the Emperor. Petronius, 
commanded to destroy the miraculous veil is struck dead. 
Soldiers refuse to touch it. Miriam offers to do what 
Roman soldiers are afraid to do. Her conversion. Mir- 
iam's death. The Emperor condemns the Christians to 
be thrown to the wild beasts. The martyrs in glory. 



"VERONICA" OR "THE HOLY FACE" 

Prologue: Tableau — "The Betrayal of Judas. " 

ACT I— Scene i. 

(C alphas and ten or more members of the San- 
hedrim in the house of C alphas.) 

Caiphas. At last we shall be enabled to put an end to 
the evil doings of this contemptible Nazarene. It 
is sad indeed that we allowed him to go free so long, 
endangering the peace of the nation. But soon he 
shall be in our power. 

Sirach. Even if he were captured this night, I fear it 
would be too late, for all the nation is running after 
him as the greatest of the prophets. He deceives 
the people by his so-called miracles and his healing 
powers; by his persuasive speech and by his pre- 
tended love of the poor and the outcast. The 
people will demand his release. 

Nathan. By what means do you expect to get him into 
your power? I seriously doubt that your expecta- 
tions will be fulfilled, for he escaped so often, before, 
when we thought escape was impossible. 

Caiphas. It is true, he seems to have the magical power 
to make himself invisible, but I trust it will 
not avail him in this instance. One of his own fol- 
lowers, whom he loved and trusted implicitly, but 
who loves money more than his master, offered to 
deliver him to us for a stipulated sum of money. 
We promised what he demanded, and tonight he 
went, accompanied by a band of soldiers, to meet 
him as a follower and friend in the garden whero he 
is accustomed to pray. 

Simon.] But how shall we accomplish his capture? 

Caiphas. The kiss of friendship is the sign by which the 



VERONICA ' 8 

soldiers are to recognize the Nazarene. They have 
orders to bring him hither and we shall see to it 
that he is condemned and crucified before the Feast. 
Witnesses have been summoned even now to testi- 
fy that he is an imposter, that he incites: the people 
to rebellion, in one word, that he disturbs the peace 
of the nation. 
Gamaliel. If this man is sent by God, his work will con- 
tinue, even if we have him crucified; for what are 
we against the God of Israel? If he is an imposter, 
it will die of itself; wherefore I would advise be 
not hasty in this matter. There is not sufficient 
time before the Feast to consider a question so seri- 
ous. 

C alphas. Die he must and before the Feast. He has an- 
tagonized the priesthood and the elders of the peo- 
ple, wherefore he can be tolerated no longer. He 
has upbraided us, and cast reproaches on us in pub- 
lic and in private; he has condemned our life by 
word and deed; he has made us an object of con- 
tempt and ridicule before the people. He has help- 
ed others, if he is of God, let him help himself, if 
he can. 

Gamaliel. He has indeed helped many and for that rea- 
son I again counsel you to have patience. In time 
we shall know whether he is of God, or whether he 
is to be despised as an imposter. I implore you not 
to desecrate the Feast by a hasty and unjust trial. 

C alphas. Thou, too, then, art a follower of this deceiver? 

Gamaliel. I am not his follower, but, I plead for simple 
justice, which should be denied no man, not even a 
criminal. 

(A great noise is heard in the court; the rabble 
shouts "Death to the Nazarene. To the cross with 
him.") 



9 VERONICA 

C alphas. At last they are bringing Mm in. Let us ad- 
journ to the court of justice. {All leave. The wife 
of C alphas, Rebecca, and her two daughters, Ruth 
and Miriam enter by another door. 

Rebecca. My daughters, we shall remain here to await 
the issue of the triad,. I have some misgivings that 
he may still escape as he has done before. 

Miriam. No, dear mother, this time he shall not escape. 
{Abenadar, the centurion, enters with soldiers.) 

Abenadar. Pardon, worthy lady, I have been commanded 
to place these soldiers here to guard the palace. 
{Soldiers are stationed.) Let no one pass without 
the sign. 
{The clamors in the court continue.) 

Rebecca. How and where was the Nazarene captured? 

Abenadar. It appears he was accustomed to spend the 
night in some secluded spot, and not infrequently 
in the garden of Gethsemani. His disciples would 
accompany him, and rest nearby. 

Rebecca. What could have been his object in following 
this strange custom? 

Abenadar. Some say he went to commune with some 
Deity; others that he conversed with some powerful 
spirits who love the night and places of seclusion; 
others again say it was to surround himself with an 
air of mystery, which always attracts the multitude. 

Miriam. Now I understand by what power he heals the 
sick and raises the dead. He converses with the 
spirits of darkness, and they communicate to him 
their infernal power. I heard my father say he 
hath a devil, 

Rebecca. Abenadar, proceed with thy narrative. 
Abenadar. One of his disciples, Iscarioth, informed us 
where he wou'l d spend the night, offering to lead us 



VERONICA 10 

there, and by the kiss of friendship, to betray his 
master into our hands for a sum of money. Shame 
on that cowardly traitor! 
Rebecca. Did the Nazarene receive him as a friend? 

Abenadar. Aye, he imprinted the kiss of peace on those 
treacherous lips, but we heard him say distinctly, 
"Judas, dost thou betray the Son of Man with a 
kiss?" evidently discerning the object of his com- 
ing there in our company. Then the Nazarene met 
us boldly and asked, "Whom seek ye?" when the 
soldiers shouted, "Jesus of Nazareth," he said "I 
am he" and they fell postrate upon the ground as 
though they had been smitten by some invisible 
power. They remained as dead until he said 
"Arise'', I am he whom you seek, my time has 
come. This is the hour of the prince of darkness." 
Then he stretched forth his hands to let us bind 
him. Whatever his pretensions may be, there is in- 
deed something unspeakably noble, something super 
human in his bearing. Far from fearing his ene- 
mies, he seems to be placing himself in their power, 
of his own free will, though he feels his superiority 
over them. The rabble treated him inhumanly on 
the way hither, yet he opened not his mouth to pro- 
test or complain, but bore it all like a hero who has 
a duty to perform, But hark ! 

{The Jews are shouting "He has blasphemed, he 
is guilty of death, to the cross with him." 

Ruth (On the balcony, turning to her mother) Dear 
mother, they have found him guilty of death. All 
is over with that impostor. 

Miriam. (Standing before her mother.) Yes, dear 
mother, he will pay the penalty for the insults 
he has cast upon our father, and all the nation. All 
his threats were but boasts, for now he is powerless 



11 VERONICA 

and cannot escape the execution of the law. 
(Pharisees enter with Caiphas.) 

Ruth. Father, what has happened thee? See, thy gar- 
ment is rent ! 

Caiphas. (Enraged.) What has happened! This im- 
postor, being accused of sedition and many other 
transgressions of the law, proclaimed himself the 
Son of God, and avows that we shall see him com- 
ing on the clouds of heaven to judge the world. His 
blasphemy condemns him — he must die, and die be- 
fore the Feast. In the morning we shall bring him 
to Pilate to have him formally condemned to die on 
the cross. (To a servant) Obed, see thou that a 
cross is prepared, so that there may be no delay. 

(Nicodemus enters, and at the last words address- 
es Caiphas. 

Nicodemus. Say not so. If this man is sent by Grod, no 
power on earth can stay the progress of his teach- 
ings. Why such haste? Why desecrate the Feast? 
(Judas enters unnoticed.) 

Caiphas. If that man lives, all Judea will run after him. 
and the Eomans will come to take from us the last 
vestige of independence. Die he shall, for it is bet- 
ter that one man die, than that the whole nation 
perish. 

Judas. You are condemning the Holy One of Israel. 
The Nazarene did nought but good. His curse is 
upon me. I have betrayed him who was sent by the 
Most High to redeem Israel. It were better I had 
never been born. I have betrayed innocent blood. 
Woe is me. 

Caiphas. What is that to us. See thou to it. (Judas 
throws his money-bay at the feet of the High Priest) 
(Veronica enters addressing her husband, Sirach, 
one of the Pharisees.) 



VERONICA 12 

Veronica. My good husband, I pray thee, have nothing 
to do with this proceeding against the Nazarene. I 
have often told thee of his love of the poor and af- 
flicted, and how he did good unto all. No man has 
ever convicted him of any wrong. 

Sirach. Exalted high priest of the Lord, I will be pres- 
ent at the trial in the morning. (Angrily departs 
ivith his wife.) 

Caiphas. Yes, let all be present at the trial before Pilate, 
for die he must, and die on the cross. 

All. Yes, he must die on the cross. 

Simon. The hours of this night will appear as years, for 
I long to see this imposter at last put to death 

All. Let him be put to death — to the death of the cross. 
(All depart except Nicodemus, who lingers.) 

Nicodemus. 0, God of Israel, permit not this awful 
crime. Let not this greatest one of the prophets, 
Thy Holy One, be put to death. 

ACT EL— Scene i. 

(Veronica's home. Veronica soliloquizing,) 

Veronica. It is now near noon, and still my husband has 
not returned. God of Israel! is it possible that 
this Nazarene too should be slain like so many 
others of the prophets whom thou has sent, he, the 
most wonderful of them all, who seems and claims 
to be the realization of all the hopes of Israel? I* 
believe and feel that he is the Messiah, and that he 
will save his people as he says. But if they slay 
him? Where is the redemption of Israel? Yet the 
prophets say of the Messiah that he shall be a man 
of sorrows, much afflicted and despised. 
(Sirach enters joyously.) 



13 VERONICA 

Sirach. It is all over. The witnesses contradicted them- 
selves and one another. Pilate saw no guilt in him, 
but the people clamoured for his death because, ac- 
cording to the law of Moses, he must die inasmuch 
as he proclaimed himself the Son of God. Now, my 
good wife, I have often told thee not to listen to this 
man. He teaches new doctrines; let us be content 
with that which Moses and the prophets have 
taught. 

Veronica. He teaches as no man has ever taught, and 
proves by wondrous deeds that his words are truth. 
If he claims to be the Son of God, I will believe him, 
for no impostor can do his works. Sirach, who can 
raise the dead but God? The waves subside at his 
word, yea, the very demons obey his commands, as 
we ourselves have witnessed. Can such a man be 
an impostor? 
(Ruth and Miriam enter.) 

Ruth. Pilate has condemned him to death. Out on Gol- 
gatha he must die between two criminals like him- 
self. To them he can preach sedition. 

Cleopha. Ruth, thou dost astonish me. Has not the Naz- 
arene said, ''Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and 
to God what is God's!" Has he not taught submis- 
sion to authority, and charity to all? Has he not 
practiced these virtues himself? How then canst 
thou speak of sedition, or hate this noble prophet? 
Verily, thou hast never heard him teach, or witness- 
ed those wondrous deeds of which the whole nation 
speaks. 
(Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea enter.) 

Sirach. Friends, have you any further tidings of this 

trial? 
Nicodemus. Yes, he is doomed to die. Pilate declared. 

him innocent and wishing to save him, had him 



VERONICA 14 

scourged, crowned with thorns, clothed with mock- 
royaj'l, garments and thus presented to the people, 
to excite their compassion. I witnessed the scourg- 
ing; they left not a sound spot on him. His flesh was 
so torn and furrowed that the bones were laid bare. 
Two slaves pressed the thorny crown upon his head 
with shocking brutality, so that the thorns pierced 
to the very bone. Yet under all this inhuman tor- 
ture he maintained a divine calm and dignity, seem- 
ing to pity those who were torturing him, rather 
than deplore his own sufferings. No mere man 
could have endured it and much less could he have 
endured it in this manner. 

Miriam. Were the people moved to pity when he was 
thus presented to them? 

Nicodemus. Oh, No, though reduced to a most pitiable 
condition so that the words of the prophet could in 
truth be applied to him. ' ' He appears a worm and 
no man,'' That multitude, encouraged and incited 
by his enemies, cried out, "To the cross with him, 
give us Barabbas." "Let his blood be upon us and 
upon our children. " " Fatal day for Israel ! ' ' Final- 
ly, Pilate condemned him to be crucified on the 
heights beyond the city. Even now they are leading 
him forth, bearing his own cross, followed by an in- 
human rabble. 

Miriam. I rejoice in his death. Thy recital makes my 
soul dilate with joy. He has blighted my life as he 
has that of many others. Now 'let him die a death 
worthy of his works. 

Nicodemus. How has he ever harmed thee who did good 
to all? 

Miriam. Thou knowest Ariel, the beautiful, the rich 
young man of Japtha. He was my betrothed ; Ariel 
spoke to the Nazarene of the reward in the life to 



15 VERONICA 

come and of the greatest perfection to be attained in 
this life. This deceiver told him that if he would be 
perfect, he should go and sell all he had, give it to 
the poor and follow him. Although Ariel did not fol- 
low these monstrous instructions, he became sad, 
and is now pining away. He has but a short time to 
live, owing to the evil influence of this man. Seest 
thou what cause I have to hate him? He has rob- 
bed me of that which I loved most upon earth. 

(The voice of the multitude is heard crying out, 
"Death to the Nazarene; to the cross with him.") 

Sirach. Even now they are passing by on the road to 
Golgatha. 

Veronica. I go to meet him, to offer my sympathy. 
(Takes a towel and walks toward the door.) 

Sirach. Stay! The rude soldiers will not permit thy 
approach.. 

Veronica. Gladly would I brave even an army, to bring 
one drop of consolation to this just man in his un- 
told sorrows. With this cloth shall I wipe the 
sweat from his face. I will show him that there 
are still true hearts in Israel. (Departs.) 



Tableau of Christ Leaving an Impression of His 

Countenance on the Cloth Presented 

by Veronica. 

ACT II.— Scene ii. 

(Veronica's home. The same persons as before. 
Veronica enters, bearing the cloth showing the im- 
pression of Christ's countenance. 

Veronica. Now I know that my Redeemer liveth; for 
this Nazarene is in truth the Messiah of whom 
John, the great prophet, said, "Behold the lamb of 



VERONICA 16 

God who taketh away the sins of the world." 
Can you not see the divinity shine forth from that 
sacred countenance disfigured for us? 

Sirach. Yes, Veronica, upon beholding it I seem sudden- 
ly to behold in a new light all that I heard him 
teach, and I see the divine purpose in his wondrous 
works. How blind I was not to recognize the Mes- 
siah before. How blind to think the Messiah must 
come surrounded with earthly wealth and glory. 
The God of Heaven needs not the paltry treasures 
of this earth. He came to save his people from 
their sins by sorrows, not by joys; by sorrows that 
no mere man had ever known. Look ye all into 
that countenance, and you will recognize the Mes- 
siah as depicted by the prophets. 

Ruth. (Kneeling before the cloth, intently gazing upon 
it, kisses the cloth.) Truly, I also see and believe. 
Henceforth will I follow his teachings and conse- 
crate myself to his cause, for he is truly the Mes- 
siah. 

Miriam. Ruth, art thou mad? I see nothing in that face 
but the same deceiver who sought to overthrow the 
priesthood of which thy father is the chief; who 
brought madness or despair to my bethrothed ; who 
would have brought ruin upon the whole nation 
had he been allowed to live. 

Ruth. Come Miriam, thou needest rest after all these 
exciting events. 

Miriam. Rest! Ah, I will go to Calvary to gladden my 
heart by the sight of his agonies. I rest in ven- 
geance only — vengeance on him. 

Joseph of Arimathea. I have long believed in him in 
secret, but now I will profess my belief openly and 
without fear. My new sepulchre shall be his place 
of burial. I will go to Pilate and demand his body, 



17 VEEONICA 

that though he chose for our sake to be the most 
despised of men, we may honor him at least in 
death. Come Nicodemus, let us go to Golgatha to 
show him our love- and sympathy whilst he suffers 
the agonies of that awful death. (NicodeWius and 
Joseph of Arimathea depart.) 

Veronica. What a precious treasure he hath left us in 
return for my insignificant deed of love. Yet I 
wonder not, for he who has come to be the redemp- 
tion of us sinful mortals must needs be divinely 
generous, Sirach, how beautiful must that life in 
eternity be, of which he so often spoke, and which 
he promised to all, who, repenting of their sins, love 
and follow him ! I will treasure this sacred gift to 
kindle my love and raise my hope, and that all 
may see how mighty and noble the Messiah is. 



(Tableau of the Crucifixion) 
ACT III.— Scene i. 
(Pilate's palace. Pharisees consulting with Pilate.) 

Pilate. (Contemptuously.) Have you satiated your thirst 
for the Nazarene 's blood 1 I had nothing to do with 
the deed that shook the whole earth and obscured 
the sun by its malice. It was you, who, in your 
hatred and blind revenge, murdered your prophet 
and king. 

Simon. He died according to our law, for he proclaimed 
himself the Son of God. We told thee thy inscrip- 
tion was false, he was not our king. The earth 
quaked and the sun refused to shine, to show the 
approval of the Most High of the punishment 
'meted out to this blasphemer. But enough of him. 
We wish to ask thee to guard his tomb, for he said 
that he would arise on the third day. Grant 



VERONICA 18 

us this, lest his disciples steal his body, and the last 
imposture be worse than the first. 
Pilate. You have a guard, go guard it as you know. 

(Abenadar, the centurian, enters. Pharisees de- 
part. ) 

Abenadar. I have fulfilled my commission. I guarded 
the Nazarene 'till he was dead. I am fully convinc- 
ed that he is the Son of God. All nature testified 
its dependence on him and mourned his death. Ter- 
rible scenes were witnessed by all when he expired. 

Pilate. What scenes did you witness? 

Abenadar. The sun was totally eclipsed, the earth quak- 
ed, and the dead appeared. The rock upon which 
the cross was erected was rent, and the Nazarene, 
after crying out with a loud voice, bowed his head 
and died. To be certain of his death before I left, 
I pierced his heart with this lance ; water and blood 
flowed from the wound, and lo! some drops falling 
on this eye, the sight of which I had lost by a wound 
received in battle, healed the eye and restored my 
sight. At the same time an interior light penetrat- 
ed my soul, by which I recognized in the Nazarene 
the Son of the living God. I believe in him as the 
Redeemer of the world, and will be his follower. 
"Wherefore I pray thee, to appoint another as cen- 
turion. 

Pilate. (Terrified by what lie hears, rises and goes about 
restlessly.) I have no part in the death of this man. 
Yet finding no guilt in him I ought to have set him 
free. Woe to me. But the spirits whom I worship 
left me no rest till I had pronounced sentence, for 
he was their enemy. Can they protect nie against 
him who is master of all nature? Abenadar. the 
Pharisees whom thou sawest depart, demanded that 
I place a guard over the tomb of this man, for 



19 VERONICA 

they said, he foretold that he would arise on the 
third day. Go thou and observe what transpires at 
the tomb and report to nie. 

Abenadar. How happy I am to be near the tomb, for if 
that man said he would arise, it shall certainly come 
to pass as he undoubtedly is the Son of God. (De- 
parts.) 

Pilate. Oh ! to escape this terror ! 'Tis everywhere — 'tis 
upon Caiphas even as it is upon us all. A terror of 
the unknown, the invisible, the deathless ! What 
has been done this day, we cannot comprehend — we 
can but) feel an unfathomable mystery in the air and 
we grope blindly, seeing nothing, touching nothing 
and therefore doubting everything, but nevertheless 
full of undefinable terror. (Rises cmd paces the 
stage nervously. Goes to window and, looks down 
upon the city.) Accursed Jews! Ye forced my 
hand. Ye with your devilish leaders did slay tins 
man, not I. Ecce homo ! I cried to ye. Ijought to 
make you see as I saw. (Walks toward table at side 
of stage and sees message of wife. Looks at it for 
a moment, then reads :( "Have thou nothing to 
do with that just man, for I have suffered many 
things, this night in a dream because of him." Oh! 
had I but heeded this message of my wife, I would 
have been spared the bitter remorse of this awful 
hour. I cannot rid me of the memory of this man 
Oh, Nazarene ! Whoever thou art, though de 
thine is the victory. 

ACT III— Scene ii. 

(Palace of Caiphas. Caiphas, Rebecca, his wife 
Ruth and Miriam., his daughters, and Annas. 
Caiphas. 0, unfortunate man that I am ! The God of 
Israel will avenge the death of his prophet and I 



VERONICA 20 

am the cause of his death. Who can protect me 
against the Mighty One of Israel? (Goes about 
with hands to his head.) 

Annas. Caiphas, why dost thou fear! These disturb- 
ances of nature are but like many others that have 
happened from time to time as history doth record. 
If this man had been endowed with any power over 
nature, he would certainly have prevented his fall- 
ing into our hands. As it was, he was weak and 
helpless as the vilest slave or as a sheep being 
slaughtered. If he had more than human power, 
he had every opportunity to show it; but he went 
to death without a word that would show even a de- 
sire to save himself. Therefore there is no cause 
for fear; let us rather rejoice that he is no more. 
The memory of him and his works will soon fade 
away as the flashes of light from a meteor. (Aben- 
adar enters.) 

Abenadar. (Addressing Caiphas.) Sir, I have come to 
report the death of the Nazarene. They say in life 
he did many wondrous deeds ; if so, his death was a 
fitting conclusion of such a life. Never have I heard 
or seen such marvels as I have witnessed this day. 
Even on the cross he manifested his power over all 
nature, which was convuilsed with grief at his death; 
yea, he had power over the very spirits of the de- 
parted, for they appeared to many and protested 
against the murder of their king. 

Caiphas. Art thou too a follower of the Nazarene? 

Abenadar. I am not a Jew. I am a Roman officer. My 
command was detailed to Calvary during the cruci- 
fixtion. What I there beheld convinced me that the 
Nazarene is in truth the master of the heavens and 
the earth. Seest thou this eye? It was wounded in 
baitle and remained without sight. When the bones 



21 VERONICA 

of the murderers crucified with him were broken, 
the Nazarene was dead, but to leave no doubt, I 
pierced his heart with this lance, and from the 
wound blood and water gushed forth; some few 
drops fell upon my eye, and my sight was immedi- 
ately restored. An inner light at the same time il- 
luminated my soul by which I understood that he 
was God as well as man, and that the sacrifice he 
made was for the redemption of us all. Wherefore, 
from hence forward I will devote my life to him 
who gave his own for me. I will propagate his 
teaching, and, if need be, shed my Wood in its de- 
fense. (Abenadar departs.) 

Ruth. That same heavenly light hath shown me also 
that he is in truth the Messiah promised by the 
prophets, the Redeemer of the world sent by God to 
raise up and purchase for us a life divine. 

Caiphas. Ruth, thou too ! No, never. Thou art mad. 
Ruth, unsay what thou hast said. 

Ruth. Father how can I speak against my innermost 
conviction, or close my eyes to the truth which God 
has made clearer to me than the very light of day ? 

Caiphas. Depart from this house forever, thou ungrate- 
ful child. I will have none of my family among the 
followers of the Nazarene, who deservedly died an 
ignominious death. The Messiah indeed! The 
Messiah Israel expects, is one who will raise the na- 
tion to the glory and power it had in the days of 
David and Solomon, and free us from the yoke of 
the Romans. Not one that is poor as a beggar and 
preaches contempt of this world's goods and pleas- 
ures as he did. We want no such Messiah and no 
one shall teach his doctrine. If thou wilt persist' 
in thy idle fancy or madness., Judea is no place for 
thee much less this house, for we hate hi] i all of 



VERONICA 22 

us, and his memory will be but a source of pain. 

Miriam. Father, Ruth has fallen under the evil influ- 
ence of this nmn through an impression of his face 
left on a cloth which Veronica presented to him 
to wipe the sweat and blood from his brow, whilst 
on the way to Golgatha. I saw that face. It was no 
more than the face of a deceiver ; but Veronica and 
Ruth and even Sirach thought it something divine. 
Ruth has gone mad through the evil influence he im- 
parted to that impression. 

Ruth. I am not gone mad, but my eyes are opened to the 
truth, and I will foillow the truth even if it cost me 
a painful separation from all that I love. He said, 
''He that is ashamed of me before men, I will also 
be ashamed of him before my Father who is in 
heaven." And he also said, "He that loveth father 
and mother more than me is not worthy of me ' '. If 
Judea will not harbor me, the world is wide and 
some other land will be my home where I can wor- 
ship God in truth and so gain eternal life. Even if 
it cost my life, I will follow the Nazarene to the end. 

Rebecca. Then Heave our presence, and anger us no long- 
er by thy idle speech. We will hear no more of the 
Nazarene. I will not own thee longer as a child. 

Ruth. Dear father and mother, I regret to give you pain, 
but we must obey God rather than man. I will go 
forth from tins home of my childhood and trust in 
him who provides even for the birds of the air. 
(Rapt for a moment she extends her arms). Oh, I 
behold him! He bids me come. Farewell. (De- 
parts.) 

Miriam. I will follow them wheresoever they go, and de- 
nounce them as traitors to the nation. There can 
be nothing good in them that follow this deceiver. 
(Follows Ruth.) 



23 VERONICA 

Rebecca. my children, do not leave me {Stretches her 
arms towards them) Ruth, Miriam do not leave 
your mother thus. Nazarene! This is thy re- 
venge. (Faints and falls into the arms of Caiphas 
who places her on a couch.) 

Caiphas. (Raving in despair) Oh, how many evils are 
falling on me this day ! My children gone ; my wife 
stricken with deadly grief; the God of Israel filled 
with wrath against me! Oh, there, the Nazarene 
whom I murdered! He was the Son of God. No, 
no, he was a deceiver of the people, a false prophet. 
But if he were the Son of God, the true Messiah as 
he said? (A cross appears) No, no, away with 
him! Ah, thou who destroyest the temple and in 
three days dost rebuild it, come down from the 
cross and I will believe in thee. All, there, come 
down from the cross. Ha, ha, he helped others, he 
cannot help himself, ha, ha, ha. (Falls to the 
ground. 
(Tableau of the Resurrection.) 

ACT IV.— Scene i. 

(Garden of Fabius, a Roman nobleman.) (Fabius 
and Domitilla as also their son Regidus, conversing 
in tMe garden.) 

Fabius. Domitilla, our daughters' illness grieves me 
much. The physician says her death may be ex- 
pected at any moment. 0, if the gods would but 
spare her life ! 

(Petronius enters with a message from the em- 
peror. Presents it to Regulus.) 

Petronius. Pardon, kind friends, I have a message from 
the emperor to Regulus. (Regidus opens and reads 
it.) 



VERONICA 24 

Wdbius. Dear son, may we hear the message with which 

the emperor honors you? 
Regulus. Most assuredly, my dear father. It is no 

secret. I will read it for you. 

To Regulus, Our beloved friend, 

Reports have been brought to me that the enemy 
has attacked the army under your command, where- 
fore I must urge you to return immediately to your 
post. 

The Emperor. 

(Meamwhile Miriam and Petronius are convers- 
ing secretly.) 

Regulus. My dear parents. I was rejoicing that I could 
spend a few days with you, to help you bear the 
grievous affliction that overwhelms us all because 
of Claudia's illness, but duty calls me. I know 
your wishes, wherefore I will not delay to make 
further excuses. May the gods restore health to 
Claudia and joy to your hearts. Farewell. (De- 
parts, after embracing them.) 

Domitilla. I do not like that foreign attendant we en- 
gaged for Claudia, though she appears to be very 
intelligent. At times she seems so absent in thought 
and forgetful of her charge as to make one suspect 
that her occupation is but a cloak to conceal some 
secret in her life, or a means to accomplish some 
end. Miriam reminds me much of that Christian 
maiden that was here with Veronica a few days 
ago. They will be here again today. I have sent 
for them to speak to them of Claudia's illness. 
Veronica told me wonderful things of Christ, their 
Messiah, and of a cloth she possesses on which the 
face of Christ was miraculously impressed. Per- 
haps they can help our daughter. 



25 VERONICA 

Fabius. They are strange people, these Christians. 
What little I have heard of this new religion, is be- 
yond the comprehension of mere (mortals. They 
say man is fallen from a primitive, higher state, 
by rebelling against a deity, and this God became 
man and died amidst great torments to redeem the 
race and lift it up again into favor, making himself 
the victim for their crime. A noble God and div- 
inely generous he must be, if this be true. 
(A servant announces Veronica and Ruth.) 

Fabius. Bring them into the garden. (Then turning to 

Ms ivife.) Domitilla, thy hopeful feeling is con- 

, tagious. Their arrival brings joy to my heart, and 

a feeling that God will help our child. (Veronica 

and, Ruth enter.) 

Fabius. Welcome to our home. 

Domitilla. We have sent for you because Claudia, our 
daughter, is very ill. Some time ago, you told me 
of the great deeds of your Messiah and of the won- 
derful cloth you possess. A feeling of hope arose 
in our hearts that your God would help our child. 
(Petronius enters and while passing Miriam,, who 
is observing the Christians from the porch, whis- 
pers to her then joins the company. ) 

Veronica. It seems somewhat strange to me that your 
gods, (Points to some idols in the garden) of whom 
you are devout worshipers, do not aid you in this 
great affliction. 

Domitilla. We are indeed worshipers of the gods of 
Rome, but who has ever heard that they helped 
any mortal in time of sorrow and affliction 1 ? Just 
before you entered, we were making reflections on 
what we heard of your God, of his love and gen- 
erosity in redeeming our race, of his healing the 
sick and the blind, and we thought it beyond the 



VERONICA 26 

comprehension of man that a God should so love 
him. We learn of our gods that they are cruel and 
selfish. No one would expect of anyone of them 
that he would forgive an enemy, much less that he 
would become the victim for that enemy's crime. 

Veronica. The one true God who created all things that 
are, is infinite in power, for he is the first 
cause of all things that are, whereas he himself 
had, and could "have, no beginning. He loves man 
as the masterpiece of his visible creation, and the 
image and likeness of himself. When man prays to 
him with faith and confidence, he grants the prayer, 
if in his infinite wisdom he judges the gift bene- 
ficial to his creature. (A slave announces the death 
of Claudia to Fabius. Grief stricken, he announces 
the sad news to his wife.) 

Fabius. Domitilla, our child is dead. We have hoped in 
vain. (Embraces Domitilla.) 

Domitilla. The light of our life is extinguished. Our 
joy has departed. Oh, my poor child. 

Veronica. Do not despair, my friends. The God of 
Christians can raise her from the dead as easily as 
he can restore her health. Pray to your gods, and 
see if any or all of them can help you; if they fail, 
we will ask the one God the Christians worship 
to grant the favor, that you may see his power and 
believe in him. 

Fabius. Let Claudia be brought here. {Claudia is 
brought by servants f on a bed.) 

Fabius. (Prays to the gods) ye gods of Rome whom 
we worship, hear this our prayer, restore our child 
to life and manifest your power that we may con- 
tinue to worship. (Offers incense) (A pause) 

Veronica. Yon pray and plead in vain for there is but 



27 VERONICA 

one true God and he alone is master of life and 
death. Have faith and join ns in our petition to' 
him, and you will see that he is truly powerful and 
full of mercy. (Kneels down with Ruth and prays 
silently, then aloud.) O God of goodness, see thy 
children at thy feet, trusting in thy great power 
and fatherly love. For his sake who gave himself 
for us, hear our prayer and restore life to this, thy 
creature, that all may glorify thy Holy Name. 
(Takes the cloth and approaches Claudia.) Behold 
the face of him who is the Son of the true God and 
who came upon earth from the heights of heaven 
to redeem us by sorrows and death. Believe in 
him and he will console you as he has consoled the 
widow of Nairn and many others, (Touches Clau- 
dia with the cloth. Claudia gradually arises as out 
of a dream, then takes hold of cloth and says:) 

Claudia. that same divine face that I beheld in a vis- 
ion. The face of Jesus of Nazareth which looked 
upon me so lovingly. (Her mother, rejoicing, em- 
braces her, Claudia then embraces her father.) 

Fabius. Veronica, what thou sayest is true, there is but 
one God. Our gods are false deities who deceive 
us pbor mortals. I abjure the gods of Rome, and 
henceforth I shall believe in the one true God who 
died for us. 

Petronius. Take heed, Fabius, treason to the gods of 
Rome is treason to the emperor. His friendship 
for thee will not save thee. He will not pardon 
this act. (Departs speaking to Miriam as he passes 
out. ) 

Domitilla. I fear he will report this whole affair to the 
emperor. See him speaking to Miriam. I suspect 
there is some secret between them. (Sends a ser- 
vant for Miriam. Ruth much surprised at seeing 



VERONICA 28 

her.) Miriam, what friendship is there between 
thee and Petronius ? I have seen thee in secret con- 
versation with him when he visits of late. 

Miriam. No friendship. He is a tool I nse to accomplish 
the one purpose of my life. I have sworn hatred 
to Christ and his followers. He has blighted my 
life and brought ruin to our family. My father is 
stricken with madness or despair, my mother is 
dead from grief and I am a homeless wanderer. 1 
have followed these Christians from Jerusalem. I 
have shadowed them wherever they went, but the 
hour of vengeance is come. That Christian (Points 
to Ruth) is my sister. She can tell thee more. 
Farewell, till I meet you again. (Departs.) 

Domitilla. Ruth, is Miriam truly your sister? 

Ruth. Yes, she is my unfortunate sister. My father 
was high-priest among the Jews, and contributed 
much to the condemnation of Christ to death. 1 
myself hated the Nazarene until, enlightened by 
grace, I recognized in him the Son of the living 
God and the long expected Messiah. I hope some 
day grace will be vouchsafed to my sister. But let 
us not forget to give thanks for the great favors 
received today. (All kneel to offer a prayer of 
silent thanks (jiving.) 

Fabius. My friends, my house is at your service when- 
ever the Christians wish to meet. I will erect au 
altar to the true God in place of the idols, and hope 
to learn more of Christ and his teaching. 
{Veronica. As there are enemies about us who are acting 
as spies, we shall meet in the catacombs on the Ap- 
pian Way. There our venerable priest, Abenadar, 
will teach you all that is necessary. Farewell. 
( Christians depart. ) 

fabius. Now I understand that undefinable longing of 



29 VERONICA 

my heart for something higher than the worship of 
these socalled gods of Rome could promise jus. 
There is one true God by whose omnipotent will we 
exist and to whom we shall return. A God of in- 
finite love and generosity. 

Domitilla and Claudia. Yes, him alone we will worship 
and follow in the future. For him we will live and 
die. May his name be praised. 

Florinus and Corvinus and Slaves. We also desire to 
become worshipers of the God of Christians. 

Fabius. Then we shall all serve our common Father who 
is in heaven. From this day you are no longer 
slaves, but free children of him whom we all have 
the privilege of calling Father. Tomorrow we 
shall all meet in the catacombs. (Fabius loosens 
the chains of the slaves and embraces them.) 

ACT V.— Scene i. 

(The catacombs.) (Many Christians, Abenadar, 
Fabius a<nd family as also twelve virgins %n white. 
An altar with cross and candles.) 

Abenadar. Fabius, welcome into our midst. I have 
heard of the great favor bestowed on thy daughter, 
and that you all wish to serve the one true God. 

Fabius. We are come to learn more about Christ and 
his teaching. Who was this Nazarene whom you 
call Messiah? 

Abenadar. He himself testified that he is the Son of the 
living God, Creator of all things, and that he came 
to redeem the human race which had provoked the 
anger of the Creator by rebelling against him. He 
proved the truth of his words by wonderful works 
such as curing the incurably blind and sick and by 
raisins: the dead to life, but more convincingly still 
by arising from the grave himself on the third day 



VERONICA 30 

and remaining with his disciples in visible form for 
forty days, during which time he was seen and 
heard by many. On the fortieth day, he, by his 
own power, ascended to heaven into glory, to pre- 
pare a place of happiness beyond the comprehen- 
sion of man for all who will follow his teaching. 

Fabius. Has his teaching been accepted by many? 

Abenadar. Yes, by many of all ranks from Jerusalem to 
Eome. 

Fabius. And what are the results? 

Abenadar. He taught that we are all children of the 
same merciful Father and thousands are now serv- 
ing him in love and obeying his commands to gain 
that eternal home of 'joy that he promised them. 
He said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs 
is the kingdom of heaven." "Blessed are the mer- 
ciful, for they shall obtain mercy." "Blessed are 
the clean of heart, for they shall see G-od." The 
result is, that the rich are distributing generously 
of their wealth to the poor. The unclean are living 
pure lives and many are renouncing all bodily 
pleasures and are willing to sacrifice all, even life 
itself, for his sake. AH have learned from his ex- 
ample to love one another as brethren. The mas- 
ter loves the slave, the rich love the poor. The 
more favored love and reclaim the outcast for the 
sake of him who died for us all. (Singing is heard.) 

Fabius. What may this beautiful singing signify? 

Abenadar. Ah, Fabius, now you shall see for yourself 
the attractive power of Christ's love. (Abenadar 
points to the left. Virgins enter singing "Whence 
to Me the Bliss" Notre Dame Sisters' Hymn book, 
p. 174.) 

Fabius. Pray who are these maidens and why are they 
clad in white? 



31 VERONICA 

Abenadar. Among these are some of the noblest maidens 
of the empire who, for the love of Christ have left 
father and mother, riches, luxury and all this world 
could promise, to consecrate their lives to him. 
{Addressing the virgins) My dear children, you 
have left all that was dear to you in this world to 
espouse Christ. You have forsaken earthly joys 
for those that are eternal. Your love for him who 
was crucified for you has led you to make this sac- 
rifice. May your reward be exceedingly great. {A 
guard comes to announce to Abenadar that the 
Christians are being sought by the soldiers.) 

Abenadar. Persecution is upon us, my brethren! The 
soldiers are seeking us. The life of the disciples 
must be like unto the life of the Master, who said 
to the doubting disciples going to Elmonaus on 
the day after his glorious resurrection: "0 fool- 
ish and slow of heart to believe in all the proph- 
ets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suf- 
fered these things and so enter into his glory V 
And after the Last Supper, the night before he 
died. "They will put you out of the synagogues; 
yea the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you 
will think that he doth a service to God. And these 
things wi]] they do to you because they have not 
known the Father nor me.'' The words of the Mas- 
ter have been verified, as indeed they must be, for 
he was divine. But my brethren, let us not fear 
for the little flock of Christ for he said : ' ' Behold, 
I am with you to the consummation of the world." 
When the last day shall come, we shall see him 
coming in the clouds of heaven with great power 
and majesty to judge and to triumph over his ene- 
mies, and we shall triumph with him and share in 
his glory forever. Now, as there is danger, let 
all those who desire to be numbered among the vir- 



VERONICA 32 

gins, come forward. (A number of Christian maid- 
ens approach. Ruth, ClaAxdia, Cleopha, etc.) 

Abenadar. Do you believe in Jesus of Nazareth as the 
Son of God, the Redeemer of the world? 

The Virgins. We do. 

Abenadar. Do you consecrate your life wholly and ex- 
clusively to him? 

The Virgins. We do. 

Abenadar. Then I receive you into the number of his 
spouses in his name. May he be your reward and 
your joy forever. (All sing "Jesu corona vir gin- 
urn.' ') 

Abenadar. A sad duty remains to be fulfilled, or I should 
rather say a joyful duty. One of your number hav- 
ing departed from this life for a better one, we 
shall now give her blessed remains Christian bur- 
ial. They are in the crypt nearby. (All folio w the 

' priest and return in procession, four virgins carry- 

ing the bier and all singing the " Miser emini mei" 
or the "Libera me Domine'' or "Magnet of Souls, 
Holy Face" Notre Dame Hymn book p. 111. 
When near the end, soldiers enter, led by Miriam, 
slay some, and take others prisoners. Fabius and 
family escape.) 

ACT V.— Scene ii. 

The Prison. (Some Christians are there, others 
are being brought in by soldiers.) 

Cassianus. This is where your worship of the Nazarene 
brings you;— to prison, torture and death; whilst 
worship of the gods is rewarded with honor, liberty 
and life. Ye are fools to give up all for one who 
could not help himself, but died on an infamous gib- 
bet. (Miriam appears at the bars and gazes with 
joy at the prisoners.) 

Abenadar. Thou art in error Cassianus. The Nazarene 



33 VERONICA 

could and did help himself more than once when his 
enemies wished to stone him, but when his hour 
was come, he voluntarily went to death to give us 
life eternal, and after three days, he, of his own 
power arose from the dead in glory, and has prom- 
ised to raise up all who believe in him. That he 
has the power, he showed by raising the dead and 
healing the sick. 

Cassianus. If he has that power let him cure my wife 
who has been hopelessly blind these fifteen years, 
And I too will believe in him. 

Veronica. Seest thou this cloth! I have seen the sick 
and blind instantly cured by the mere touch of it. 
Have faith and thou shallt see that Christ has the 
power to heal. 

Cassianus. {To a soldier) Go tell Maxima to bring her 
mother here. I wish to speak to her. {Maxima 
brings her mother) 

Cassianus. Sabina, thou art blind these many years. 
These Christians tell me their God can restore your 
; sight, and give us an eternal life if we believe in 
him. 

Abenadar. Have faith and pray with us to Christ, the 
Son of the living God. {All kneel down to pray.) 

Abenadar. God of goodness, look down with mercy 
upon thy children, and for the sake of him who died 
for us, hear our prayer and restore the sight of 
this, thy afflicted creature, that thy name may be 
known and glorified on earth as it is in heaven. 

; {Veronica touches her with the holy veil and her 

sight is restored.' All manifest great astonishment) 

Sabina, Oh, my eyes perceive the light again after so 
many ears of utter darkness. thou God _ of the 
Christians who hast restored my sight, I willingly 
believe in thee, that from thy great power and gen- 



VERONICA 34 

erosity I may also obtain that life beyond the grave 
which thou hast promised. (Turning to her hus- 
band and daughter) And you, my husband and 
daughter, will you also believe in him who this day 
has manifested to us his power and mercy? 

Cassianus. Yes, henceforth we also believe in him and 
are willing to give up all to follow him. 

Miriam. This will cost you dearly, for as I have not 
rested till I saw these hated Christians in prison, 
so I will also have you laid in chains as traitors 
to the gods and to the emperor. How I shall re- 
joice when every hated Nazarene shall be exterm- 
inated. (Departs.) 

Abenadar. Let us give thanks to God for the great 
mercy shown us this day. (All kneel) Gi-od of 
infinite power and mercy, we thank thee that 
through thy divine Son, our Redeemer, ■ Jesus 
Christ, thou hast heard our prayer and restored 
sight to this thy creature, and given the light of 
truth to these our brethren. Do thou perfect in 
their hearts what thou hast begun. (After a pray- 
er, Cassianus, Sabina and Maxima depart) 

Cassianus. Farewell for the present. My duty calls me 
elsewhere. If J can do aught for your relief it will 
afford me pleasure. (The wounded Christians cry 
for water.) 

Abenadar. Water is forbidden us, but let us turn to him 
who gave water to the Israelites in the desert, he 
will not turn a deaf ear to our prayer. (All pray 
silently after Veronica touches the rock with the 
cloth; a cross appears, and water gushes from the 
rock. Some is brought to the wounded.) 

Ahenadar. He whose love for us was so great that he 
delivered up his divine Son for our redemption, 
has not forsaken us. If he allows us to suffer, it 



35 VERONICA 

is only to increase our glory in the life to come. 
Praised be his Holy Name. (All say:) Praised be 
his Holy Name, forever. (Cassianus, Sabina and 
Maxima are brought in, chained, by Petronius and 
soldiers.) 

Petronius. The emperor offers pardon for all here, if 
you will renounce the Nazarene and sacrifice to the 
gods. 

Abenadar. We believe in one true God and in Christ his 
Son, and him alone we worship. 

Petronius. The emperor offers you not only freedom, 
but wealth and honor, if you renounce this Naz- 
arene. 

Abenadar. We have given our answer. Lose not thy 
time, Petronius. We all despise the perishable 
treasures of this earth, that we may gain those 
that are eternal. 

Petronius. Then you shall die, one and all of you. (De- 
parts.) 

Miriam. (At the barred entrance) Yes, die you shall 
and by the wild beasts or worse, as the Nazarene 
died, hated and despised. Then my work is ac- 
complished. (Departs) (Prisoners sing, " Sanc- 
tus.") 

ACT V.— Scene hi. 

(The emperor's court. Courtiers assembled for 
his feast. The emperor enters and is saluted. Lit- 
tle girls and boys enter, carrying flowers, salute the 
emperor and stand aside. A number of dancing 
girls enter, performing a dance. When this is fin- 
ished a courtier addresses the emperor.) 
Courtier. Noble emperor, we are assembled to offer thee 
our felicitations on this feast on which we commem- 
orate thy ascending the throne of the mightiest em- 



VERONICA 36 

pire on earth. May the gods preserve thee long in 
power. (All say.) Hail the emperor, hail Jupiter, 
hail the gods of Rome. (A servant announces Pet- 
ronius ivho enters and salutes.) 

Petronius. Mighty emperor, I have fulfilled thy com- 
mand. Fabius, his wife and daughter are prison- 
ers. 

The emperor. Bring them hither this instant. They 
shall sacrifice to the gods with the whole court or 
die. Hail Jupiter. 

The Courtiers. Hail Jupiter and the gods of Rome. 
Death to the Christians. (Fabius, his wife and 
daughters are brought in, chained.) 

The emperor.- ■ (kindly) Fabius, I have always esteemed 
and honored thee as one of Rome's first and most 
estimable citizens. It pains me to see thee in 
chains. Put aside this folly and you are free again 
to enjoy life and wealth. 

Fabius. Mighty emperor, thou sayest it pains thee to 
see me in chains, deprived of liberty. It is be- 
cause thou and all who believe in the senseless and 
powerless gods of Rome, are blind, as I too was 
until, enlightened by a ray of divine light, I recog- 
nized the one true God, the Creator and Ruler of 
the universe, and his Son, the Redeemer who died 
to save us all. I rejoice to bear these chains for 
the love of him who descended from the heights of 
heaven to suffer for me. Through him I hope for 
a joy and glory far beyond any this world can give. 

The emperor. Cease this idle speech, Fabius, sacrifice 
to the gods and I will give thee wealth greater than 
thou hast ever possessed. 

Fabius. The wealth thou speakest of is perishable rub- 
bish. Christ promises and will give me wealth that 
is eternal, that no thief can steal nor rust corrode. 



37 VERONICA 

(A servant announces Regulus. He enters and 

salutes.) 
The emperor. Regulus, what news bringest thou of the 

army 1 ? 
Regulus. The Roman army is victorious. The enemy 

has fallen back, and we were about to pursue them 

when I received thy message to hurry hither. 

The emperor. I have called thee that thou mayest per- 
suade thy father and mother to sacrifice to the gods. 
They have joined that infamous sect of Christians 
and their example will draw many others into the 
same pernicious folly. I have spoken to them in 
vain. There they are, prisoners, (Regulus aston- 
ished, greets them affectionately, then turning to 
the emperor, in rage.) 

Regulus. Are these chains the reward of my father's 
long service to the empire? 

The emperor. They are a punishment for treason to the 
empire. 

Regulus. Take off those chains or bind me also. If my 
father believes in the God of the Christians, I also 
will believe in him. I have learned to know these 
Christians. If you had seen them fighting the ene- 
mies of Rome you would not speak of treason. They 
were to be seen foremost wherever the battle was 
fiercest, and seemed anxious to lay down their lives 
for their country. 

The emperor. Then thou too art a Christian? 

Regulus. (Throivs down his sword) From this hour I 
will worship no other God but the God of the Chris- 
tians. 

The Courtiers. Death to Regulus. 

The emperor. Soldiers, despatch him. (Soldiers pierce 
him with lances.) 



VERONICA 38 

The emperor. Fabius and his family shall be beheaded 
by the Appian Way. (Soldiers lead them out) 

Petronius. Mighty emperor, there are other Christians 
in prison. 

The emperor. Let them be brought hither. (Petronius 
departs) These Christians are enemies of the em- 
pire. They dare to revile our gods and worship 
Christ in their stead. For his sake they renounce 
all this world can offer them, to gain, as they be- 
lieve, a life beyond the grave which he promised 
them. Such folly the world has never seen. This 
foreign sect must be destroyed lest the empire per- 
ish. (The Christians are led in by Petronius.) 

The emperor. I have already offered you freedom; sac- 
rifice to the gods and you shall go free. 

Abenadar. We worship only the one true God. Thy 
idols are demons, who are powerless before the 
God of the Christians as thou shall t see. (Veronica, 
approach that idol with the sacred cloth. (Veroni- 
ca does as commanded, the idol falls.) 

Abenadar. Dost thou see what power thy idols possess? 
Even the image of the Nazarene has power to de- 
stroy them. 

The emperor. Petronius, take that cloth and throw it 
in the fire. (Petronius attempts to take it from 
Veronica and falls dead.) 

The emperor. Soldiers, take that cloth from her. (No 
one dares.) 

Miriam. ye cowards, I will do what Roman soldiers 
will not dare. (Approaches and is suddenly ar- 
rested by an eocstatic vision of Christ. She falls on 
her knees and with head erect, gazes at the vision, 
her arms outstretched toward it. After a pause, 
Me rises, but is blind and calls for Ruth, her sister, 
who embraces her.) 



39 VERONICA 

Miriam. Ruth, T have seen the Christ, so beautiful, 
so benign. I am forgiven. He is truly the Son of 
God. How blind I was to hate him who is all good- 
ness and beauty divine. Can you forgive me Ruth, 
for all I have done! 

Ruth. Chirst prayed on the cross for his executioners, 
and commanded his followers to love those who 
hate and persecute them, if they would share in his 
glory. Miriam, gladly do I and we all forgive thee, 
and will give thanks for the heavenly light thou 
hast received. 

The emperor. No more of this folly. Miriam, sacrifice 
to the gods or die. 

Miriam. Gladly would I give a thousand lives to behold 
him again as I saw him but a moment ago. Oh, too 
late have I known him! Never shall I worship an- 
other. I have lost my bodily sight, but I care not 
to look upon this earth again. Now I know that 
my Redeemer liveth and will take me to that eternal 
abode of light and glory of which he so often spoke 
whilst dwelling among men. 

The emperor, (enraged) Soldiers, let her die this in- 
stant. (Soldiers pierce her with lances.) 

The Christians. Praise be to Christ, the Son of God. 

The emperor. Away with them! Tomorrow they shall 
be thrown to the wild beasts. 

TABLEAU OF THE MARTYRS IN GLORY. 



VERONICA 40 

THE TABLEAUX. 

. I Tableau— "Betrayal of Judas. "— 

This can be staged in one or three representations. 
One tableau: Christ seized and bound by the soldiers. 
Judas in a conspicuous position near the soldiers. 

Three tableaux: The first representing the act of 
betrayal, corresponding to the words of Holy Writ/' Ju- 
das, dost thou betray the Son of Man with a kiss?'" 

The second: Christ standing on one side, the sol- 
diers lying as dead before him, according to the text 
Jesus said to them: "Whom seek ye?" They answered 
him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus saith to them: "I am 

I he." As soon therefore as he said to them, "I am he,'' 
they went backward and fell to the ground. 

The third: Jesus stretching forth his hands, the 
soldiers binding him according to the text, "Then the 

j band and the tribune, and the servants of the Jews took 
Jesus and bound him." 

II Tableau— "Veronica Presents the Cloth to Jesus" — 

This represents the fourth Station of the Way of 
the Cross. Christ is represented bearing his cross, pre- 
ceeded and followed by soldiers. Veronica standing be- 
fore the Saviour with the cloth raised to his face. When 
the curtain rises, Veronica turns toward the audience so 
that all can see the impression of the Holy Face. This 
cloth can also be illuminated by electric light. 

III Tableau— "The Crucifixion."— 

This can also be staged in one or three represen- 
tations : 

One tableau: Christ crucified. The Blessed Mother 
St. John, Mary Magdalen, beneath the cross. Also 
some of the holy women. Soldiers on guard. The cen- 
turion, spear in hand, gazing on the dying Saviour. 



41 VERONICA 

Three tableaux: 1 — Christ on the cross. Beneath, 
soldiers casting lots for his garments, according to the 
text: "After they had crucified him, they divided his 
garments, casting lots." 

2 — Christ on the cross. His Blessed Mother, St. 
John, Mary Magdalen beneath the cross. Soldiers around 
The centurion with spear, gazing upon Christ. A soldier 
with a sponge on lance, raises it to the lips of Jesus. 

3 _ Christ on the cross. The rest as in group No. 2. 
The centurion holding lance with left, raising his right 
hand as if professing his faith in the divinity of Christ 
according to the text: "And Jesus having cried out with 
a loud voice, gave up the ghost, and the centurion who 
stood over against Him, seeing that crying out in this 
manner He had given up the ghost, said: 'Indeed, this 
man was the Son of God.' '' 

IV. Tableau — ''The Resurrection." — 

In one or three representations. 

One tableau: Christ standing at the open sepul- 
chre, or over it, a strong light illuminating the figure of 
Christ. Two angels may be represented on or near the 
tomb. Soldiers lying around as dead. 

Three tableaux : 1 — The sepulchre open. Christ 
being laid in the tomb by Nicodejmus, Joseph of Arima- 
thea and St. John. The Blessed Mother, Mary Mag- 
dalen and the holy women standing near the tomb, ac- 
cording to the text : "A certain rich man of Arimathea. 
named Joseph, went to Pilate and asked for the body of 
Jesus and laid it in his own new monument which he had 
hewn out of a rock. ' ' 

2 — Christ standing at the open sepulchre, or over 
it, an angel standing above, the guard lying about as 
dead, according to the text: ''For an angel descended 
from heaven rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And 



VERONICA 42 

his countenance was as lightning and his raiments as 
snow. And for fear of him the guards were struck with 
terror and became as dead men. ' ' 

3 — The open sepulchre. Christ standing before it. 
Mary Magdalen standing at some distance, seeking him, 
according to the text: "But Mary stood at the sepul- 
chre without weeping. Jesus said to her: 'Mary.' She, 
turning, saith to him : 'Rabboni' which is to say Master." 
V. Tableau — "Martyrs in Glory." — 

Christ in glory on the summit of an elevation. A 
few angels around him, holding crown. Mary, His Bles- 
sed Mother, and the martyrs ranged round about, they 
sing, "Regina Coeli" or some appropriate hymn. 



a 



Veronica" 

OR 

"The Holy Face" 



A Religious Drama 
'Five Acts and Five Tableaux" 



By 

REV. F. BERNARDINE, C. P. 

Pertnissu Superiorum" 



OHGRESS 




753^1 
YA- 



M 



n 



A~ 



Copyrighted March 6th, 1912, by 
Rev. F. Bernardine, C, P. 



AUG 26 1914 

§>CI.D 38002 



</,&£«* 




